Fungi isolated from the surface of banana fruits were evaluated for in vitro antagonism towards
Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Thirteen fungi exhibiting pronounced growth inhibition of test pathogens
were further tested for antibiosis againstThielaviopsis paradoxa, Colletotrichum musae, and Fusarium
verticillioides. Clonostachys byssicola, Curvularia pallescens, Penicillium oxalicum, and Trichoderma
harzianumwere antagonistic to all test pathogens. Inhibition byC. pallescensand P. oxalicum to
pathogens was at a distance, whileC. byssicolaandT. harzianumdirectly parasitized and killed the
pathogens. The metabolites ofC. byssicola, C. pallescens, and T. harzianum significantly affected the
mycelial growth and conidial germination of the pathogens. In the artificial inoculation study, the
antagonists survived and colonized banana fruits after 3 d. Interfungal parasitic relationship was
observed between the antagonist and pathogen on artificial media and natural substrate. Postharvest
application in the packing house showed that the incidence of crown rot in antagonist-treated banana
was significantly lower when compared to fungicide and untreated control fruits